Victoria Day.

The May Long Weekend in Canada each year is in honor of Queen Victoria. It's a lovely weekend to embrace our heritage and history. Some years, we stay home and plant our gardens. Other years, we zip away on a jet to our favorite spot on the West Coast. This year, we took the time to rest, put our feet up and dream about the next few months. Because the rains arrived, we couldn't plant our gardens or jet away. So we did the next best thing ~ relaxing! It's going to be a very busy Summer, so this time off for us has been healthy and what we needed to do to keep moving. Long weekends are for rejuvenating our minds, our bodies and our spirits. And honoring the Monarchy. 

~ Chy

Victoria Day.

Canada is part of the British Commonwealth and each year we honor Queen Victoria on the long weekend in May, known as Victoria Day Weekend. Traditionally, it is also the weekend in our region when everyone starts their gardening. Prior to this, the weather is more unpredictable (we had a frost warning last week) but once this weekend comes along, the weather is a bit more settled. We did plant our seeds for our veggie patch yesterday but haven't yet put in the plants we bought ~ some perennials and herbs and raspberry canes. I need to get more deer fencing and don't want to risk any new plants getting eaten up! These currently reside on our kitchen table getting good sun and amble moisture. I hope to plant either later today or tomorrow. Sunny week ahead with mid to high 20's.

Over the weekend, we also visited the Farmer's Market, bought our plants from a local nursery, worked on the "never ending Pergola project" and did a quick house clean. The rest of the time we've been really good about also taking some time to relax and enjoy this time off. Today I'm doing a 5 hour shift at the Antique Mall, which reduces our rent. We both enjoy getting to know the other vendors and helping customers with their purchases. Today is the 1st Boot Sale of the season, so I'll be inside and out. Nice sunny day out so I'm sure it will be busy! We might even do a bit of shopping.

Before we head to the AM, we're stopping to pick up an item I've bought from a lovely lady. I've searched for a soft art tote forever and finally found one. She posted it for just $15, a huge savings. I love the colors and am excited that now I'll have a way to cart my art supplies to classes when I take them. Last time, I used my little tool kit that holds my dollhouse supplies but it's a hard shell and was a bit clunky. And then the dollhouse supplies had to sit on the art studio island all weekend. This is much more efficient. Here's a shot of the tote. Isn't it sweet? I can't wait for my next class!

My shift is done at 4 p.m. Both dh and dd are coming to drop me off and shop a bit before and then they'll head home. At the end, dh is coming to pick me up but we haven't made any plans beyond that time. Likely a nice dinner and then some Festival work. I might finish up the one area that needs more weeding and I'll definitely need to do some watering. Long weekends are lovely for projects and for taking time to enjoy and relax. This one has been great for us. Hope your Victoria Day Weekend has been wonderful!

~ Chy

Car Boot Sale and Gardening!

We headed out early on Monday, our annual Victoria Day here in Canada. A day to relax from work and enjoy extra time with family and friends. Stopping at Starbucks for a cool drink on a morning that was promising to turn into a hot day. I enjoyed a frosty lime drink with a ice cream sugar cookies. Yum!

The Car Boot Sale is held at our local Antique Mall 4 times over the summer. This was the first date and the others will happen in June, July and beginning of September. I don't think we've missed one yet!

Brand new set of quilted pillow shams. Perfect for dressing up our boring deck loveseat. 

In perfect condition, I couldn't pass up this great wicker chair in dark sage green. Listed for $45 a piece inside the mall, the seller had just set them out and let me bargain them down to $30 .... for both!!

Youngest dd picked up this lovely tea cup planter at the greenhouse, our second stop after the boot sale. I love it and it was perfect for these fresh, new plants for the deck. More planting this coming weekend.

Another find at the Car Boot Sale, this pretty doily from the vendor who also sold me a lamp for our guest room and a vintage basket for my art studio. Pictures to follow in another post!

The second wicker chair set in between the two side chairs. The sweet deal of the day in our books!

The start of our summer deck. We have more items to put out and lots of gardening to do but the season is finally her and we're set to jump in with energy and enthusiasm for the sun, the rain, the dirt and the green!! I can't wait to add in all the other sweet little embellishments that make it so cozy and inviting.

Looking forward to our next trek into the City for the June Car Boot Sale. Fun place to find treasures!

How was your Victoria Day spent?